We had the luxury of watching great performances at the state meet in the 4A girls race. This group of young ladies are going to be battling back and forth all season long. Lets meet the 4A girls to watch for in 2019.
Taylor Roe - Lake Stevens
1,600, 3,200
What more can be said about one of most decorative athletes in the state? Roe is a two-time state champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter races and also won the 800 meter state race her sophomore season. Last year, Roe placed 6th in the 1,600 and 9th in the 3,200 at the state track meet. She has signed to run with Oklahoma State next fall. The senior is going to have an outstanding track season and will end her career on a high note as she hopes to qualify for state a fourth year in a row.
Julia-David Smith - Issaquah
800, 1,600, 3,200
The whole state got to know who Julia David-Smith was last year after an awesome high school season debut. As a freshman, David-Smith ran 4:52.18 and 10:29.7 for the 1,600 and 3,200 and was the number one 4A girl in both of those races. Finished third in the 1,600 and 3,200 at the state track meet. She was also on the four-by-four state championship team for Issaquah last spring. The tradition continues with another Issaquah great distance runner looking to capture a state title(s) in her sophomore season.
Ella Borsheim - Bellarmine Prep
800, 1,600
If you haven't payed any attention this past cross season, you missed out on watching freshman Ella Borsheim take the state by storm. Borsheim was the 4A state cross champion beating out Issaquah's David-Smith and Lake Steven's Roe. Before entering high school, Borsheim had not lost a middle school track race at Mason Middle School in Tacoma for two years, where she ran times of 2:17 in the 800 and 5:09 in the 1,600. She is probably the best freshman in the state, if not one of the best runners for all classes.
Aviry Stratton - Glacier Peak
1,600, 3,200
Aviry Stratton made a big jump this past fall from her sophomore season to her junior season dropping her 5,000 meter time by almost two minutes with a time of 18:21.9. She was on the Glacier Peak Grizzlies 4A state championship team this past fall while also placing 19th in the race. Last track season, she finished eighth in the 1,600 and fourth in the 3,200 at the state meet. Ran personal best times of 4:58.24 and 10:46.16. Another contender for the 3,200 meter state crown.
Alicia Anderson - Kamiak
1,600, 2,000 Steeplechase, 3,200
Gonzaga University signee Alicia Anderson is not only a great 1,600 and 3,200 meter runner, but she is an even better 2,000 meter steeplechaser. Anderson holds the Birger Solberg Invite steeplechase record that she set back in her sophomore season in a time of 7:22.92. In her junior year, Anderson was fifth in the 3,200 at the state meet running a personal best time of 10:47.66. She also ran 5:03.17 in the 1,600 but her personal best is 4:58.59.
Others to Watch for:
Bailee Carr - Richland: Has the best 800 meter time coming back this season with a time of 2:12.61. Finished fourth in the 800 at state track meet.
Paxton Depoe - South Kitsap: Placed seventh in the 800 and 13th in the 1,600 at the state track meet as a junior. Personal best time are 2:15.19 and 5:03.51.
Ella Nelson - Walla Walla: Fastest 800 meter runner for freshman last spring running 2:15.23. Placed 10th in the 800 and 3,200 at the state track meet.
Halle Jenkins - Camas: Placed 14th in the 1,600 and 13th in the 3,200 at the state track meet. 5:03.26 and 11:13.07 are her personal bests.
Maggie Bauer - Curtis: Ran personal best times of 5:04.17 and 11:03.48 at the state track meet. Also placed 10th in the 1,600 and 11th in the 3,200 at the meet as well.